Delhi Police says sorry to retired servicemen for August 14 action, says 'no intention to hurt OROP protesters'

Facing the heat over its action at Jantar Mantar, Delhi Police on Tuesday apologised to war veterans for its behaviour on the eve of Independence Day. Joint Commissioner of Police MK Meena assured the protesting ex-servicemen that such a thing would not happen in future.

While addressing a press conference at Jantar Mantra, Meena said, "August 14 incident will not be repeated. We are here to provide them security. We respect the Army men. It's because of them we can roam freely."

There had been clashes between ex-servicemen and Delhi Police personnel on August 14 at Jantar Mantar as the latter had tried to evict the veterans from the spot to sanitise the area for Independence Day celebrations.

The ex-servicemen, who have been protesting over their demand for the OROP scheme, had refused to budge and move out of Jantar Mantar. Adamant on their stand, they had said that they would not leave the protest site till their demands were met.

Taking note of the situation, ex-servicemen also urged Colonel Pushpendra Singh and Hawaldar Major Singh to end the protest. The two veterans on Monday began a fast unto death at Jantar Mantar.

Ex-servicemen had also said that they would boycott all government functions henceforth till their demands are met.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Prime Minister's office (PMO) also stepped in to resolve the issue. PM Narendra Modi's Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra will negotiate on the issue of OROP with the veterans.

The Centre has reiterated its commitment towards the OROP but has refrained from giving a time frame on the its implementation. The Centre has maintained that the scheme will be implemented as soon as the technical difficulties are resolved.

Over 2.5 million strong ex-servicemen and war widows community has been demanding OROP for almost four decades. It was being speculated that Modi will make an announcement on the scheme in his speech on Independence Day but he only reinstated his commitment and said that the demand will be fulfilled as soon as the technical nitty gritty is resolved.

The PM's speech left the ex servicemen hugely disappointed as this was a key promise in Modi's poll campaign during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.